Writing Home Solo

[quote][quote]Bridget strolled through the large, thick oak door that entered into the Owlery. She jumped back as an owl darted just inches in front of her face towards a perch on the other side. Bridget looked around, assessing the room she was in. Dozens of owls were in the room, perching in cubicles hewn into the walls, cleaning their feathers, or flying in and out of the open windows. She shivered. Despite her long, thick black cloak, the draft still made her cold.

Today was her birthday. It was the first birthday she had ever spent without her family or friends. No doubt Lizzy and Jemima (Her friends) had sent her a card or something. But she wouldn't get that card, at least not for another two and a half weeks.

Bridget stroked the head of a tawny owl. She wondered if she would ever get a pet--there hadn't been enough money to buy one when she was last in Diagon Alley. I won't be getting any presents, I suppose,' Bridget thought miserably. It wasn't that she was spoiled and expected everyone to give her things. It was just odd and lonely to spend one's birthday all alone. She didn't have any friends here--now that she thought about it, she only had a few acquaintances. She'd hardly introduced herself to other Hogwarts students. Mum and Dad sure were right--I really need to work on my social skills. Not that that would happen, of course. Bridget was a loner. All she needed were a few people she was close with and she didn't care if no one else noticed her. She had serious trust issues, and only ever opened up to people she was sure wouldn't break that trust. Of course, she didn't have anyone like that here...

Then a thought struck her. She hadn't seen her family since Christmas break. Although she would see them soon, she really, desperately wanted to send them something. Pulling out her quill, an inkpot, and a spare bit of parchment, Bridget wrote a letter:


Dear Mum and Dad,

Don't freak out! I know you're not used to having owls give you letters, but I figured I'd write you because it's my birthday.

Anyways, I really miss you. I'll be home soon (just in case you forgot, meet me at Kings Cross at noon on July 1st). I hope it wasn't too hard keeping Lizzy and Jemima oblivious to everything. I can't wait to tell you all about how amazing Hogwarts is.

I love you,
Bridget

P.S. You can write a reply and send it back with the owl.


She finished writing the letter and rolled the paper up, placing it into the owl's talons.

"29 Blackford Hill Grove, Edinburgh, Scotland," she told the owl. It flapped its wings and soared out the nearest window and off into a sunset streaked with mango orange, canary yellow, and lavendar.

Bridget sighed, grasping her right arm above her elbow with her left hand. Hogwarts was beautiful. But was it home? She thought for a moment before coming to a conclusion. No, Hogwarts was not home, at least, not yet. She wanted it to be; with its magic, novelty, and grandeur, it was a place straight out of her dreams. But until she had people who she could laugh with, cry with, trust with her life, Hogwarts wouldn't truly be home.

As the first night stars appeared, Bridget descended the Owlery's stairs to spend the rest of her lonely birthday in the much warmer Slytherin Common Room, hoping that next year she had someone to share her birthday with.